NAMI's Goals and Strategies

Truly equal, and, therefore, integrated, coverage. Just as in the civil rights movement, "separate but equal" can never be truly equal.

In addition to the same lifetime and annual financial caps, NAMI seeks the same co-pays as are offered for other conditions,

the same access to care by the appropriate medical professional,
the same access to hospitalization for acute conditions,
the same pharmacy coverage, and
the same outpatient care.

An end to the ERISA¹ exemption for state parity mental illness laws.

Equal access to care and the same coverage for individuals in all other forms of government-subsidized care. Older Americans have a high rate of untreated depression, many young children living in poverty rely on Medicaid, and our disabled population is frequently unable to access the services they need.

Parity laws in all 50 states that are comprehensive, clear, and compelling in ending all forms of insurance discrimination against persons with severe mental illness.

Monitoring by both the states and the federal government to insure that parity laws are enforced, and an appeals process for denied services that is fair and impartial.

Access to all appropriate medications that are clinically indicated for persons suffering from severe mental illness.

[1] ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act- concerns employers which self insure.

For more information about NAMI’s activities on this issue, please call Andrew Sperling at 703/516-7222. All media representatives, please call NAMI’s communications staff at 703/516-7963.

NAMI's Goals and Strategies

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